Door lock



Dec. 3, 1957 r. c. DINGMAN ETAL 2,815,239

DooR Lock Filed sept. 22, 1951 2 Smets-sheet 1 .will Ill e mwa-Inma 7. C. DING/MAN J. WJAMESON A TTORNEKS Dec. 3, 1957 T. c. DINGMAN ET AL 2,815,239

DooR Loox Filed Sept. 22 I 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7.' C D/NGMAN J. WJAM/E N INVENTO United States Patent DOOR LOCK Thomas C. Dingman and John W. Jamieson, Dearborn, Mich., assignors to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application September 22, 1951, Serial No. 247,882

1 Claim. (Cl. 292-280) This invention relates generally to latch mechanisms for doors and particularly to latch mechanisms of the rotatable bolt type for motor vehicle doors. This application is a continuation in part of applicants copending application Serial No. 169,568, tiled June 22, 1950, now Patent No. 2,754,671, granted July 17, 1956.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved door latch mechanism of the type having a rotatable bolt and a rotatable ratchet controlled by means of a pivotally mounted pawl, the latter being engaged by a suitable actuating member to release the bolt from the associated keeper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock of this type in which the actuating member is arranged to operate the pawl in such manner as to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized operation of the latch mechanism even when excessive pressure or force is applied to the actuating member, and even though the actuating member is bent and distorted by such force.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view looking toward the ilange of the door lock case adapted to be mounted upon the door jamb.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, as viewed from the exterior of the door.

Figure 3 is a side-elevational view of the construction shown in Figure l as viewed from the right side thereof, or from the interior of the door.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 5 and showing the rotor and ratchet.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and illustrating the opposite side of the lock mechanism from that shown in Figure l.

Figure 6 is an elevational view similar to a portion of Figure l but with the actuating lever broken away to show the pawl in elevation.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line '7 7 of Figure l.

The embodiment of the invention shown is designed particularly for the right front door of a motor vehicle. The lock mechanism is mounted upon an L-shaped mounting plate 11 having flanges 12 and 13 extending substantially at right angles to each other. The plate 12 is provided with three screw bosses 14 by means of which the mounting plate may be secured to the inner side of the jamb face of the door. The flange 13 of the plate extends along the inner side of the inner door panel.

The lock is provided with a rotatable toothed latch or rotor 16, Figures 4 and 5, having an integral shank 17 rotatably mounted in a bushing 18 carried in an annular liange 19 struck out from the flange 12 of the mounting plate 11. The end of the shank 17 of the rotor is flattened and extends through a correspondingly shaped ICC aperture in a rotatable toothed ratchet 21 and is riveted thereto. It will be noted that the bushing 18 has a ilange 22 forming a bearing surface for the ratchet 21.

The rotor 16 is formed with six equally spaced peripheral teeth 23 and the ratchet 21 is likewise formed with an equal number of teeth 24. lt will be noted that the rotor and ratchet are thus mounted on opposite sides of the ange 12 of the mounting plate for rotation together as a unit. A sheet metal shield 26 is loosely mounted between the ange 12 of the mounting plate and the rotor 16.

The rotor 16 is adapted to be engaged by a keeper 27 rigidly mounted on the jamb face of the adjacent door pillar by means of a pair of bolts 28. The keeper 27 is formed along its lower edge with two integral projecting teeth 29 adapted to mesh with the teeth 23 of the rotor 16 to hold the vehicle door in either a locked or a safety position. The upper edge of the keeper 27 is formed with an inclined face 31 engaged by a dovetail 32 formed of sheet metal and having tongues 33 proiecting through slots in the liange 12 of the mounting plate and riveted thereto. The lower surface of the dovetail 32 is curved to provide a line engagement with the upper edge 31 of the keeper.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a shoulder rivet 34 is mounted upon the flange 12 of the mounting plate 11 centrally of an embossment 35 formed thereon. The shoulder rivet 34 forms a pivotal mounting for a pawl 36 and also for a release lever 37.

The pawl 36 is formed with two generally radially extending arms 33 and 39. The downwardly depending arm 39 is engageable with the teeth 24 of the ratchet 21 to hold the ratchet and the rotor 16 locked against rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure l. Arm 38 extends generally horizontally and protrudes through a vertical slot 40, Figure 3, formed in the side iiange 13 of the mounting plate 11. This arm is adapted to be engaged by means hereinafter described to permit the lock to be released by operation of a handle located inside the door. A tongue 41 struck out from the liange 12 of the mounting plate 11 is encircled by a rubber grommet 42 to provide a resilient stop for the inwardly extending arm 38 of the pawl 36 to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the pawl under the action of coil spring 43. In this position the arm 33 of the pawl is at the upper extremity of slot 4t) in the tlange 13 of the mounting plate.

As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the downwardly extending arm 39 of the pawl 36 is formed with an aperture 44 within which is pressed a pin 45. The pin 45 is formed with a reduced end portion extending through the aperture 44 and peened or riveted to the arm 39 of the pawl to mount the pin securely thereon.

It will be seen that the release lever 37 is pivotally mounted intermediate its end upon the shoulder rivet 34 carried by the flange 12 of the mounting plate 11. The upper end 46 of the release lever may be engaged by a conventional push button operator or by a suitable turn or pull type xture door handle (not shown). The lower end 47 of the release lever 38 is formed with an elongated slot 48 spaced beneath the pivotal axis of the shoulder rivet 34. The pin 45 mounted upon the lower arm 39 of the pawl 36 extends through the slot 4S in the release lever. As seen in Figures l and 2, the end of the pin 45 extending through the slot in the release lever is embraced by the downwardly extending end 49 of coil spring 46 coiled around the shank of the shoulder rivet 34 with the inner end of the spring being anchored in a slot S0 formed in the rivet. lt will thus be seen that the coil spring urges the pawl 36 in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figure l, and with the pin 45 carried by the pawl engaging the end of the slot 48 in the release lever 37 the latter is also urged in a counterclockwise direction. This movement is of course arrested by the engagement of the arm 38 of the pawl 36 with the stop 42.

Clockwise movement of the release lever 37 under the actuation of the door handle or push button is eiective to simultaneously and instantaneously rotate the pawl 36 in a clockwise direction since the pin 45 is constantly held in contact with the end of the slot 48 in the release lever. This movement swings the lower arm 39 of the pawl out of engagement with the adjacent tooth 24 of the ratchet 21, permitting the ratchet and rotor to be rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure l, or a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 5, to permit the vehicle door to be opened by rolling the teeth 23 of the rotor 16 over the toothlike projections 29 of the stationary keeper 27.

When the pressure on the upper end 46 of the release lever 37 from the outside push button or door handle is released, lever 3'7 and pawl 36 are returned by the coil spring 43 to the position shown in Figure l in which the arm 39 of the pawl is again in engagement with the teeth 24 of the ratchet 21. It will be seen that closing movement of the door and the resulting counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet and rotor as seen in Figure l can be effected since the ratchet teeth 24 can temporarily swing the pawl 36 against the action of the spring.

The locking mechanism can also be released by a suitable conventional handle located inside the vehicle door. This handle conventionally reciprocates a remote control link 51, Figures l and 3, the end of the link being connected to a stud 52 mounted upon the lower arm of a bell crank lever 53. The bell crank lever 53 is pivotally mounted by means of a shoulder rivet 54 to the inner ange 13 of the mounting plate 11, the flange 13 being embossed at this point to provide clearance at this point between the bell crank lever and the flange. The upper arm 56 of the bell crank lever 53 extends over the arm 38 of the pawl 36, and it will be seen that clockwise rotation of the bell crank 53 under the actuation of the interior door handle, as viewed in Figure 3, is etective to depress the pawl arm 38 in the slot 40 and consequently to swing the pawl 36 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure l to release the pawl arm 39 from the ratchet teeth 24. This clockwise movement of the pawl 36 under the actuation of the bell crank lever 53 can be accomplished without swinging the release lever 37, sulicient clearance being provided in the slot 48 in the release lever to permit the movement of the pin 45 therein.

The latch mechanism is provided with a locking lever 58, Figures l and 2, to enable the latch mechanism to be locked against unauthorized operation from the exterior of the vehicle door. The locking lever is pivotally mounted by means of a stud 59 to the ange 12 of the mounting plate 11, the latter being provided with an embossment 61 -to provide clearance between the lever and the plate. The outer end of the locking lever 58 carries a generally vertical flange 62, the upper end of which is curved inwardly. This ange 62 is adapted to interlock with the lower end of a flange 63 integrally formed on the outer edge of the release lever 37. The lower portion of the lange is centrally ribbed for additional strength. In the position shown in Figure 1, the flange 62 of the locking lever overlaps the flange 63 of the release lever and effectively prevents clockwise rotation of the latter under the actuation of the push button or outside door handle. The latch mechanism is thus held in locked position.

The locking lever 58 can, however, be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 1 either under the actuation of an inside button 64 or an outside key actuated device 66. When rotated in a counterclockwise direction by either of these means, the flange 62 of the locking lever 58 drops beneath the ange 63 of the release lever 38, enabling the latter to be operated by the push button or exterior door handle to release the pawl from the ratchet and permit the' door to be opened.

The locking lever 58 is formed with an inwardly extend` ing arm 67 projecting through a slot 68 formed in the inner ange 13 of the mounting plate. The inner end of the arm 67 of the locking lever is provided with an aperture 69 and a rod 71 carrying at its upper end the inside locking button 64 is suitably hooked through the aperture. When the locking button 64 is pushed down, the locking lever 58 is held in its locking position, and conversely when the button 64 is raised, the parts are in the unlocked position. An over-center spring 72 is connected between the side flange 13 of the mounting plate and the inwardly extending arm 67 of the locking lever 58 to provide a snap action for the locking lever between its locked and unlocked positions.

Similar movement of the locking lever 58 between its locked and unlocked positions can `also be effected by the key actuated device 66. This device comprises a conventional lock cylinder 73 suitably supported in the exterior door panel of a vehicle in the conventional manner. The lock cylinder 73 is adapted to be rotated through a predetermined angular movement by a suitable key. The lock cylinder carries a crank arm 77 having a projecting pin 79 which extends through an elongated slot in the ange 62 of the locking lever 58.

The locking lever 58 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 81 adapted to engage the rearward edges 25 of the teeth 24 of the ratchet 21. This arm automatically moves the locking lever 58 to its unlocked position whenever the vehicle door is opened, since the opening movement of the vehicle door results in a counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet 21 as seen in Figure 1, swinging the locking lever 58 downwardly out of locking engagement with the release lever 37. With this arrangement it is impossible to leave the car in a locked position except by locking the mechanism with the key after closing the door from the exterior. The rearward edges 25 of the ratchet teeth 24 are formed at such angle that arm 81 of the locking lever 5S is moved with a minimum of friction and elort.

It will be apparent that when the locking lever 58 is in the locked position shown in Figure 1, either by reason of being so positioned by the operation of the lock cylinder 73 or by the inside locking button 64, that the release lever 37 is held against clockwise rotation about the axis formed by the shoulder rivet 34. In the event excessive unauthorized pressure or force is applied through the outside push button or door handle to the upper end 46 of the release lever 37 it may be possible to bend the upper end of the release lever and to distort it out of position. Such unauthorized action cannot, however, unlock the door latch mechanism since the interconnection between the release lever 37 and the pawl 36 is beneath the axis 34 of the release lever and the lower part 47 o'f the release lever cannot be bent or distorted by excessive force applied to the upper end thereof. Unauthorized entry into the car is thus prevented under such circumstances.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown `and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as dened in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a latch mechanism for a motor vehicle door, a support mounted upon said door 'adjacent an edge thereof, a toothed rotor rotatably mounted upon said support on one side thereof, a toothed ratchet on the opposite side of said support from said rotor and mounted for rotation with said rotor as a unit, said rotor and said ratchet having the same number of teeth, a pawl mounted on said support on the same side as said ratchet and adapted to engage one of the teeth of said ratchet to hold said ratchet and rotor against rotation in one direction, a manually operable lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said support at a point vertically above said rotor and ratchet, said lever having an actuable portion extending upwardly from its pivotal axis and a second portion extending downwardly from said pivotal axis and overlapping said pawl, the last mentioned portion of said lever having an elongated slot formed therein, and a projection extending outwardly from said pawl through said slot, said projection and slot cooperating with each other upon pivotal movement of said lever to move said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, the downwardly extending portion of said lever having a terminal end located vertically below said rotor and ratchet, and locking means pivotally mounted upon said support vertically below said rotor and ratchet and moveable into locking position with said terminal end of said manually UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,547,210 Garrett July 28, 1925 2,362,256 Endter Nov. 7, 1944 2,557,468 Roethel June 19, 1951 2,560,477 Roethel July 10, 1951 2,665,156 Allen Jan. 5, 1954 

